By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As much as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has done for the civil rights movement of the 1960s, he had not received a feature film treatment until now. It is certainly long overdue that the iconic leader gets the cinematic tribute he surely deserves. Selma may… Continue reading Review: SELMA
Category: Reviews
Review: INHERENT VICE
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+/C- Inherent Vice is even more bizarre than Joaquin Phoenix’s Her. Phoenix, who has once retired from acting, likes to choose challenging, unusual roles. In his most recent movie Inherent Vice, his character Larry “Doc” Sportello, a pot smoking private eye, is outlandish – but not nearly as peculiar as the… Continue reading Review: INHERENT VICE
2014: A Year In Review
By Mark Saldana I had an incredible year at the cinema this year. 2014 proved to be a year filled lots of great films of different varieties, but it seemed like it was the year of the biting satires. In addition to my routine trips to the theater for the new releases, I had the… Continue reading 2014: A Year In Review
Review: THE GAMBLER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This sometimes thrilling and engaging remake of the 1974 movie does have some interesting differences from the original film. It has some bewildering changes as well. The 1974 Gambler movie, which stars James Caan, was written by James Toback who based the story on his experiences… Continue reading Review: THE GAMBLER
Review: UNBROKEN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) For certain, Louis Lamperini’s story is a compelling, moving, and inspiring one. However, as a fascinating a story it is, the film adaptation of Lamperini’s experiences before and during World War II covers material that is all too familiar and does so working all of the… Continue reading Review: UNBROKEN
Review: BIG EYES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) It’s not usually in Tim Burton’s nature to be subtle with the visuals in his films. In his cinematic universe, colors, characters and set designs often get exaggerated for better or worse. What makes his latest film so refreshing is the fact that he has decided… Continue reading Review: BIG EYES
Review: INTO THE WOODS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Rob Marshall is definitely the go-to director for movie musical adaptations. With TV musicals such as Cinderella and Annie and theatrical films Chicago and Nine, Marshall has proven that he can present stage shows beautifully and with much flair and style. His latest adaptation is Stephen… Continue reading Review: INTO THE WOODS
Review: THE IMITATION GAME
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the true story of Alan Turing and his top secret work for the British government during World War II, this extraordinary film not only gives audiences insight into the brilliant mind of Turing, but also reveals his tormented personal life. Adapted from Andrew Hodges’… Continue reading Review: THE IMITATION GAME
Review: THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth (IMDB). Having seen the 1978 animated version of The Lord of the Rings many including… Continue reading Review: THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
Review: FOXCATCHER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The bizarre murder of Dave Schultz by John du Pont shook the world in 1996 and has now been made into a feature film by writers E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman, and director Bennett Miller. This movie features some of the best performances of the year… Continue reading Review: FOXCATCHER